Accused in R200m cocaine heist to apply for bail

Lucas Legabe, a 49-year-old man arrested in connection with the alleged theft of a R200 million cocaine consignment from Hawks premises, is set to appear in the Port Shepstone Magistrate's Court for a bail application. The theft occurred in November 2021, shortly after the drugs were seized at the Isipingo container depot, and is currently under investigation by the Hawks and the Madlanga Commission. A 49-year-old man accused of involvement in the alleged theft of a cocaine consignment from Hawks premises is expected to apply for bail in the Port Shepstone Magistrate's Court, KwaZulu-Natal. Lucas Legabe is scheduled to appear in court on September 8, 2026, for a formal bail application after his arrest by the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit on August 7. Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said Legabe's arrest was in connection to the alleged theft of a drug consignment in Port Shepstone. The incident involves a cocaine consignment, valued at about R200 million, which was seized in June 2021 after Hawks investigators were called to inspect a container at the CHC container depot in Isipingo that was initially suspected of containing 27kg of drugs. The cocaine was later transported to the Hawks' Port Shepstone offices, where it was stored before the consignment was stolen during a burglary in November 2021. The theft subsequently came under scrutiny at the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, where evidence has been heard about the circumstances surrounding the seizure, handling, storage, and disappearance of the cocaine. Following his arrest, he was charged and appeared before the Germiston Magistrate's Court on August 11, 2026, before being transferred to KwaZulu-Natal, where he was remanded in custody. He is expected to return to the same court on Tuesday for a formal bail application. 'Investigations are ongoing, with police continuing to pursue all those involved. Further arrests have not been ruled out,' Mogale said